Episode 8: How to Deliver a Great Political Speech Using 3 Main Points

I thought about naming this episode “537 Reasons Why Your Political Speech Should Have 3 Main Points” but I was afraid it would scare you away. But how often have you heard a speech that seemed like it had 537 points? This seems to especially be the case with political speeches. In today’s episode I want to encourage you that the next time you have to give a speech try to limit yourself only three main points.

Now in keeping with this advice I am going to structure the podcast today with three main points. We are going to talk about the following three main points.

Why you should use only three main points.

Reasons why people use more (many more) than three points

How to structure your speech using three main points.

Reasons to use only three main points

It’s easy for you to organize and remember your speech.

Three points is an easy number for your audience to remember.

Three points is enough to show your competence.

You don’t want to bore/annoy/frustrate your audience.

Emphasize strong points.

Reasons why speakers use more than three points

The speaker is unprepared.

The speaker is trying to impress.

Because the speaker is insecure and is trying to “prove” themselves to the audience.

If some proof is good, even more is better right?

The endless resume

“I’m a good speaker”

How the three point speech works

Obviously the structure of a three point speech is fairly straight forward.

Introduction

Main Point One – Supporting Points

Main Point Two – Supporting Points

Main Point three – Supporting Points

Summary and Conclusion

Shut Up

The three points allow you to develop contrast. Typically you would arrange three points like this.

Strong Point

Weaker Point

Strongest Point

Another form of three point speech addresses a specific problem and solution.

Problem Statement

Compounding Problem

Solution

Regardless of what form you use, pick three points that are relevant to your audience and deliver with confidence!